Russia, Ukraine conduct first prisoner exchange in five months

Russia and Ukraine have carried out a prisoner exchange for the first time in five months.

Under the swap, Moscow secured the return of 157 Russian servicemen who had been held in Ukrainian captivity, while an equal number of 157 Ukrainian soldiers were transferred to Kyiv. The exchange was reported by Moskovsky Komsomolets, citing the Russian Defence Ministry.

In addition to the military personnel, three civilians from Russia’s Kursk region, who had been detained by Ukraine on its territory, were also returned to Russia.

The United Arab Emirates served as the mediator in facilitating the release of the Russian servicemen. At present, 160 Russian military personnel who were freed are located in Belarus, where they are receiving assistance. They are expected to be transported to Moscow in the near future.

The exchange comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts hosted by the UAE, which have included recent peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi. These trilateral discussions, held in late January and early February 2026 at Kyiv’s invitation, focused on potential frameworks for a ceasefire, confidence-building measures, and humanitarian issues as part of broader efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

Beyond hosting negotiations, the UAE has played an active mediating role throughout the conflict. Official statements and media reports indicate that Emirati diplomacy has facilitated numerous Russia–Ukraine prisoner exchanges since 2022, enabling the return of thousands of captives to their respective countries.

By Tamilla Hasanova